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In this assignment, you will make the case for the age you think people should obtain the right to vote. The 26thAmendment in 1971 guaranteed everyone the right to vote at 18 (previously, it was 21). Some states allow for voting in presidential caucuses and primaries if they will be 18 by the time the general election arrives, and a few cities have granted voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds for local elections. Before the 26th Amendment, there was a serious debate about the age of the vote, given young men and women were serving in wars but were not eligible to vote. However, since then, the right to vote has still been debated.
What does adolescent developmental research say about it? That is where you come in. In this assignment, you will draw on course materials and outside (credible) work to make the case for a particular age of the vote. Maybe you decide to keep it at 18, perhaps you want it 19, 20, 21, 16, 12, etc… The main point is that you use evidence to back up your stance.
The final product should be a 3-5 page, double-spaced paper. I do not deduct points if the paper is fewer than three pages (although typically, that means it lacks some detail) or more than five pages.
-Part 1:
In the first section I want you to summarize your stance on what the voting age should be. Make sure to include a few sentences on what you thought before this class started (i.e. pre-Spring 2024) on what age you thought the voting age should be.Now I want you to turn to the age that you choose after reviewing course materials and thinking about the topic (i.e. you have your initial idea, you read through the course materials and other documents, what age do you now think it should be? Did it stay the same since before the class started? Change?).
Here you want to outline what the rest of the paper will be about. Include the age you selected and summarize the three main reasons you chose this age that you will discuss in-depth in Part 2.
Part 2:
Now summarize the three main reasons why you chose the age you did.
This should take three to six paragraphs.
For clarity, make sure to list your rationale.
You must utilize and cite at least four resources (peer-reviewed scholarly articles, reports, course materials).Please contact me if you are uncertain if the resource counts.
The reasons must be backed up with rationale from course content and other materials.For example, think about biological, social, and cognitive transitions and development; think about autonomy, peers, identity, school, and other aspects we have talked about or will talk about.If you make the case of age based on things like enlisting in a branch of the military or something similar, make sure you still tie it to some aspect of adolescent development. Some policies are often noted outside of voting based on sound research and a hunch of what sounded right. Just because some guidelines don’t make sense doesn’t always mean voting should be the same way.
While your gut feeling about the age might have informed your thoughts before this class, what do you think now that you have been working through adolescent development?
Part 3:
In this section, you will pick at least one counterargument to your chosen age.You need to draw on at least one course material or other resources in making this case.
Essentially, use these materials to make the case against your chosen age.
Close this section with a few sentences explaining why you still believe in your decision despite the argument against your chosen age.This section does not need to be about defending age 18 but just the argument against your chosen age.
Part 4:
Write a 1-2 paragraph conclusion section describing the process for you to think about the voting age in the context of having to back it up with course materials (as opposed to general opinion on the matter that we usually use).
Important: Include a few sentences on how policymakers can decide on adolescent-affected policies in the future. For example, how might policymakers consider adolescent development research in shaping policies or including youth in democratic processes.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
This assignment will help you make a strong case for the age you believe people should be to obtain the right to vote. You will need to support your stance with evidence from research and course materials. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to approach this assignment:
Step 1: Part 1 – Introduction to Your Stance
In the first section, you will need to introduce your stance on what the voting age should be. Here’s how to structure it:
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State Your Position Clearly:
- What voting age do you think is best? You might choose 18, 19, 20, or even 16.
- Be clear about your stance right from the beginning.
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Reflect on Your Initial Thoughts:
- Before you started this class (pre-Spring 2024), what did you think the voting age should be? You can explain briefly how you felt about it before diving into the evidence.
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Update Your Position Based on the Class:
- After reviewing the course materials and reading more on adolescent development, has your stance changed?
- If it has, explain how your thinking has evolved and why.
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Outline the Structure of the Paper:
- Give a brief preview of what the rest of the paper will cover.
- Include the age you’ve chosen and summarize the three main reasons you will discuss in Part 2.
Step 2: Part 2 – Main Reasons for Your Chosen Age
In this section, you will provide in-depth reasoning behind your decision. To tackle this, follow these steps:
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Provide Three Strong Reasons:
- Your reasons should be based on adolescent developmental research. These could include biological, cognitive, and social factors that make a certain age more appropriate for voting. For example:
- Cognitive maturity and decision-making skills.
- The ability to make informed choices about one’s future.
- Social roles like employment or military service that may indicate readiness for voting.
- Your reasons should be based on adolescent developmental research. These could include biological, cognitive, and social factors that make a certain age more appropriate for voting. For example:
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Use at Least Four Credible Resources:
- Make sure to use course materials and at least four other resources to back up your reasons. These resources should be peer-reviewed scholarly articles, credible reports, or studies on adolescent development.
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Provide Clear and Structured Rationale:
- Break each reason into its own paragraph, starting with a clear point and then explaining it using evidence. Each reason should be backed by research or course materials.
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Relate to Adolescent Development:
- Tie each reason back to aspects of adolescent development. For example, think about how adolescents transition through biological, social, and cognitive phases. Link these stages to your voting age decision.
Step 3: Part 3 – Counterargument to Your Chosen Age
In this section, you will consider one counterargument to the voting age you’ve chosen and address it. Here’s how:
- Identify One Counterargument:
- What could someone argue against the age you chose? For example, people might argue that voting at 18 is too young because of the still-developing cognitive abilities of teenagers.
- Draw on Course Materials:
- Use course materials or outside sources to explain why this counterargument exists. Reference the research or studies that suggest why some people may think a different age should be the voting age.
- Refute the Counterargument:
- After presenting the counterargument, explain why you still stand by your chosen voting age. You don’t have to prove that the counterargument is completely wrong, but you need to justify why your position is still valid despite it.
- Keep it Concise:
- The counterargument section doesn’t need to be long. Focus on one solid counterargument and your reasoning against it.
Step 4: Part 4 – Conclusion
Now that you’ve presented your argument and counterargument, it’s time to conclude your paper:
- Summarize Your Process:
- Reflect briefly on how your thinking about the voting age evolved as you worked through the assignment and used course materials.
- Discuss Policymaker Considerations:
- Think about how policymakers could use adolescent development research to decide on policies affecting young people.
- Suggest ways in which policymakers can include adolescent development when making decisions about voting or other democratic processes. For instance, how could research on cognitive or social development guide decisions on voting age?
Additional Tips
- Proofread and Edit: Make sure your paper flows well. Each part should logically lead to the next, with clear transitions.
- Cite Properly: Be sure to cite all your sources in the appropriate format (APA, MLA, etc.). If you’re unsure whether a source counts, ask your instructor.
- Stay Focused: Stick to your argument and avoid straying off-topic. Make sure every point you make is tied back to your stance on the voting age.
By following this guide, you’ll be able to develop a well-supported and clearly articulated argument about the right voting age, backed by credible research and adolescent developmental insights.
Good luck! You’ve got this!